Lara Bay: the complete guide

Lara Bay is one of the last genuinely wild beaches in Cyprus – a curve of pale sand tucked into the rugged west coast of the Akamas peninsula, well beyond the reach of resorts and sunbeds. It is protected above all as a nesting ground for loggerhead and green turtles, so it stays quiet, undeveloped and gloriously empty compared with the busy strips further south. Getting here takes effort, and that is precisely the point.

Setting & character

This is the untamed side of Cyprus. Lara sits within the Akamas, a wild headland of scrub-covered hills, gorges and rocky coves that has escaped large-scale building. There are no high-rise hotels, no promenades and no crowds – just sea, sand, low dunes and the sound of the wind. The beach is actually a pair of sweeping bays, and if you have come to Cyprus expecting something raw and natural rather than polished and packaged, this is where to find it.

The sand & the water

The sand is soft and pale, backed by dunes and framed by rocky outcrops. The sea is clear and clean, shading from turquoise in the shallows to deeper blue, and it is generally swimmable and pleasant for snorkelling. Because the coast faces west and is exposed, the water can be choppier and cooler than the sheltered bays around Paphos, and there are no lifeguards, so swim sensibly and keep an eye on conditions. Expect patches of seagrass and rock alongside the sand, which is part of what makes it a healthy marine habitat.

Turtles & conservation

Lara is best known as a nesting beach for endangered loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles, protected under a long-running conservation programme. In summer you may see nests marked and caged to shield the eggs from predators, and there is a modest turtle station near the shore. Please treat the beach with care: keep to marked paths, avoid the dunes, take all litter away with you, and never disturb nests or cages. Parts of the beach may be restricted during the peak nesting period.

Facilities: what’s there

Very little – and that is deliberate. Do not expect rows of sunbeds, showers or big beach bars, as development is heavily restricted to protect the nesting habitat. There may be a small seasonal kiosk, but you should treat Lara as a place to come self-sufficient.

• Bring plenty of water, snacks and a picnic.
• Pack sun shade, as natural shade is limited.
• Carry sturdy footwear for the rocky ground and track.
• Take all your rubbish home with you.

Who it suits

Lara rewards nature lovers, walkers, snorkellers and anyone chasing a wild, back-to-basics day by the sea. It pairs beautifully with exploring the wider Akamas – gorges, sea caves and rough coastal tracks. It is less suited to travellers who want easy access, a full menu of facilities or a smooth family day out with toddlers.

Best time to visit

The sea is warm and comfortable for swimming roughly from June to October, with the long, dry summer offering the most reliable beach weather. Late spring and early autumn are lovely for combining a swim with a walk, avoiding the fiercest heat. Bear in mind that turtle nesting runs through the summer, so tread especially lightly then and respect any signage or closures.

How to get there

Lara sits on the Akamas coast north of the Coral Bay area, and the final approach is along a rough, unsurfaced track. A 4×4 is strongly recommended – ordinary hire cars struggle and rental agreements often forbid driving them here. From Paphos allow the better part of an hour once you factor in the slow track, and from Paphos International Airport it is a little longer again. Alternatively, join a jeep safari or boat trip.

Where to stay near Lara Bay

There is nowhere to stay right on Lara itself, which keeps it wonderfully unspoilt. Most visitors base themselves around Paphos, Coral Bay or the villages on the edge of the peninsula and drive in for the day. For a fuller picture of accommodation and the surrounding wilderness, see our guide to the Akamas region.